Two police among at least 16 dead after armed clashes in Xinjiang, China

Armed clashes between “thugs” carrying explosives and machetes and police left at 16 people dead in China’s Xinjiang province late Sunday, including two officers, state media reported.

“Public Security Bureau police went to Sa-Yi-Ba-Ge village to arrest criminal suspects when thugs attacked with explosive devices and machetes suddenly, killing two policemen” according to Tianshan Net, an official website run by the Information Office of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region Government.

“Police launched a decisive punishment, killing 14 thugs, and arresting two suspects,” they added. “The case is under further investigation.”